vB Easy Archive - Dual mode vs Tri-Mode Phones???

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Dual mode vs Tri-Mode Phones???
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Posted by: HLS811

I pretty much understand what the difference is between a dual mode (one that operates in both 800MHz analog and 800MHz digital networks.) and Tri-Mode (one that can operate in the analog 800MHz band, the digital 800MHz band, and the digital 1900MHz PCS band)..

Whats the difference in sound qulity, the ability to not drop calls, extra features, etc.. between the 2 types of phones?

I currently have a Verizon (NYC-Metro Area) account. I also currently have a Tri-Mode Motorola v.120c phone.. If I wanted to switch to another CDMA phone - (Audiovox CDM130/135XL) - which is only a dual mode, would I experience a loss in sound quality or have more dropped calls, etc..? (based on the dual/tri mode funciton, as opposed to the phone quality itself)

I may be guessing completely wrong, but I don't think Verizon uses a PCS band.. I believe certain companies like Sprint and Voicestream(?) advertise thier phones being PCS.. Verizon doesn't - am I wrong in assuming that if its not on a PCS network, then that 3rd band (1900MHz/PCS) is irrelevant, and that a tri-mode phone isn't going to offer any upgrade to a dual mode? (Aside from any features the phone itself may have...).

I hope you understand all of this.. Its easier to think out these questions in your head them to get them out on the screen!

Posted by: Bonka

DUAL MODE operates on the 1900MHz (1.9) digital band and the 800AMPS analog band. The trimode simply offers the 800MHz DIGITAL band as well. In terms of dropped calls and audio quality, it should not make a difference if you had a DUAL MODE or TRIMODE handset. If there is a difference, it will be because of issues other than the type of network the handset can operate on. The significance in TRIMODE vs DUAL MODE is that TRIMODE takes advantage of the 800MHz digital band, therefore, increasing your DIGITAL range. If your carrier has MORE 800MHz digital sites than 1900MHz digital sites, you'll experience a greater coverage area, especially if a carrier sets up their sites by having the 1900MHz sites in busy, urban, popluated areas, and the 800MHz band in more rural areas. If you travel out of the urban with a DUAL MODE handset, you'll more than likely get into analog instead of locking into digital. With the trimode though, you have that digital signal because it can support the frequency. Otherwise, you should not experience any difference in terms of audio quality, extra features, and dropped calls simply based on frequency.

Posted by: HLS811

DUAL MODE operates on the 1900MHz band?? Really?? Tri-Mode adds 800Mhz digital band???

Then how come all of the Dual mode phones I see online list 800MHz?

Am I missing something?

Posted by: BM GRANT

Dual Mode can mean any two of 1.9 GHZ digital, 800MHz digital, and 800 MHz analog. It is not specific to 1.9 Ghz and analog. Although that is by far the most common.

Posted by: obsidianic

i thought mode = analogue or digital
and band = frequency

for example, nokia 6185 CDMA phone is analogue + 2 digital frequencies = dual mode/dual band

triband would be some phone admiralAK would drool over ... GSM 900/1800/1900 : ).

Posted by: HLS811

Hmm.. OK - then that brings me to a more direct question - Like i said before, I currently have a Tri-mode Motorola v120c Phone, I wanted to switchback to my old phone - an Audiovox CDM130XL - which is a Dual-Mode - and according to the Audiovox website - it says it "Operates on 800 MHz Analog and 800 MHz CDMA Digital" -

So, Essentially I'm losing the 1900MHz feature.. Is that a bad thing?

Posted by: Bonka

In essence, it will have to depend on your carrier. I'm not familiar with your carrier but if they do have a greater number of 800MHz sites to areas you travel often than 1900MHz sites, it should not pose a problem.

Posted by: Telekom

Quote:

Originally posted by BM GRANT
Dual Mode can mean any two of 1.9 GHZ digital, 800MHz digital, and 800 MHz analog. It is not specific to 1.9 Ghz and analog. Although that is by far the most common.

Most usually dual mode refers to the ability to use either digital or analogue. Dual band means that your phone is capable of either digital cellular 800 Mhz or PCS at 1900 Mhz. So a Nokia 3285 is a dual mode dual band phone as it can use analogue, digital cellular 800 and PCS at 1900.

Posted by: BM GRANT

No that means it is dual band, tri-mode.

Band 1: 800 MHz
Band 2: 1900 MHz
Mode 1: Analog
Mode 2: 800 MHz digital
Mode 3: 1900 MHz digital

Posted by: Paolo

so Triband means:
GSM 900mhz, 1800mhz, 1900mhz

is this correct?

Posted by: BM GRANT

right.